Sky Pirates

Chapter 4

"Good evening, Miss Mildred, Master Cole," said Lorain Canton as Mildred and her brother sat down at one end of the expansive dining table.

Despite the summer heat, all the windows were closed to any possible breeze; a large candelabra, with more than a dozen light and heat bearing candles, lit their supper of venison, boiled potatoes, and spicy greens. Miss Canton, assuming the role of "mother" as usual, asked: "How have the two of you passed your day?"

Neither sibling spoke.

Miss Canton continued the conversation: "I walked along the river path all the way into town and purchased a new hat at Miss Beachwood's. She's created some wonderful hats, Millie. You should stop by and pick out something for yourself."

Mildred nodded toward the tutor, knowing full and well that she wouldn't be buying a new hat any time soon. Silly trappings did not interest her. What she truly desired were mechanical tools to help her clear the weeds and debris in the garden. Sadly, those she wanted only existed in her mind; no one had yet built any such thing on a small enough scale to be useful in a garden.

"It has been reported to me that you gained entrance into your mother's garden today," Miss Canton said with direction and intent.

"I did," said Mildred. She pushed the piece of potato around her plate. She was hungry and loved Cook's potatoes, but yet, it was simply too warm this evening to eat.

"And, what is the drive behind your entrée?"

At her silly use of the French word, Cole pointed at his plate with his utensils causing Mildred to stifle her laughter.

"Uncle suggested I take up a vocation and that gardening was an acceptable form of activity for me. Today, I gained entrance into Mother's garden." She scrutinized her brother for his reaction to the statement, but Cole's reaction was hidden as he instead heaped a second helping of meat and potatoes onto his plate while still chomping on a mouthful of food like a cow working its cud. The image caused a smile to grow on Mildred's lips.

"Well, Lord Greene is a very great man, and if he feels it's time for you to have such a large project..." her words trailed off as the serving girl arrived and took her half-eaten dinner away. "And, what about you, Cole? You look a mess, so you must have been up to something manly today?"

Cole simply grunted, using the cover of his full mouth to allow him not to answer.

Mildred wanted to share what she knew of her brother's endeavors that day, but chose instead to remain silent. They may not agree on much, but they had a pact never to feed one another to Miss Canton; it would be too much like feeding a Christian to the Roman lions. She recalled her beloved Lord Byron's verse:

While stands the Coliseum,

Rome shall stand;

When falls the Coliseum,

Rome shall fall;

And when Rome falls

- the World.

The new serving girl arrived with pudding and served it all around. The small cake with sugar on top appeared dry. Mildred ate a berry from her plate. It tasted fresh and wonderful and she wished there was more than the one atop her cake. Yet, she knew if she asked for more berries Miss Canton would go off on another tirade about how impolite it was to ask. What good does it do to have servants if we can't ask them for things?

"Oh, I just can't wait any longer," squealed Miss Canton. She produced a stiff wrapped package from her lap. "Happy Birthday, Miss Millie."

Mildred's eyes lit up as her tutor passed her the gift. She gently untied the ribbon and turned over the package to let the paper open. Inside the heavy trappings were three dainty handkerchiefs. Her delight turned to sadness. "Thank you, Miss Canton," she said in a tone dryer than the cake.